Unit

12 for and since when … ? and how long … ?

A We use for and since to say how long something has been happening.

We use for + a period of time: We use since + the start of a period:

We’ve been waiting for two hours. We’ve been waiting since 8 o’clock.

for two hours since 8 o’clock

two hours ago now 8 o’clock now

for since
two hours a long time a week 8 o’clock April lunchtime
20 minutes six months ages Monday 2001 we arrived
five days 50 years years 12 May Christmas I got up
Sally has been working here for six Sally has been working here since
months. (not since six months) April. (= from April until now)
I haven’t seen Tom for three days. I haven’t seen Tom since Monday.

B We often leave out for (but not usually in negative sentences):

They’ve been married for ten years. or They’ve been married ten years.
They haven’t had a holiday for ten years. (you need for)
You can use in instead of for in negative sentences (I haven’t … etc.):
They haven’t had a holiday in ten years. (= for ten years)
We do not use for + all … (all day / all my life etc.):
I’ve lived here all my life. (not for all my life)

C Compare when … ? (+ past simple) and how long … ? (+ present perfect):

a: When did it start raining?

b: It started raining an hour ago / at 1 o’clock.
a: How long has it been raining?
b: It’s been raining for an hour / since 1 o’clock.

a: When did Joe and Kate first meet?

⎧ a long time ago.
b: They first met ⎨
⎩ when they were at school.
a: How long have they known each other?
⎧
b: They’ve known each other ⎨ for a long time.
⎩ since they were at school.

D We say: it’s (= it is) a long time

since something happened
or it’s been (= it has been) six months (etc.)

It’s two years since I last saw Joe. or It’s been two years since …
(= I haven’t seen Joe for two years)
It’s ages since we went to the cinema. or It’s been ages since …
(= We haven’t been to the cinema for ages)
How long is it since Mrs Hill died? or How long has it been since …
(= when did she die?)

24 How long have you (been) … ? ➜ Unit 11

 Unit
Exercises 12
12.1 Write for or since.
1 It’s been raining since lunchtime.
2 Paul has lived in Brazil ten years.
3 I’m tired of waiting. We’ve been sitting here an hour.
4 Kevin has been looking for a job he left school.
5 I haven’t been to a party ages.
6 I wonder where Joe is. I haven’t seen him last week.
7 Jane is away on holiday. She’s been away Friday.
8 The weather is dry. It hasn’t rained a few weeks.
12.2 Look at each answer and choose the right question.
1 How long have they been married ?
Ten years ago.
When did they get married?
(When did they get married? is correct)
2 How long have you had this car?
About five years.
When did you buy this car?

3 How long have you been waiting?

Only a few minutes.
When did you get here?

4 How long have you been doing your course?

September.
When did your course start?

5 How long has Anna been in London?

Last week.
When did Anna arrive in London?

6 How long have you known each other?

A long time.
When did you first meet each other?

12.3 Read the situations and complete the sentences.

1 It’s raining. It’s been raining since lunchtime. It started raining at lunchtime.
2 Ann and Jess are friends. They first met years ago. They’ve known each other for years.
3 Mark is unwell. He became ill on Sunday. He has Sunday.
4 Sarah is married. She’s been married for a year. She got .
5 You have a headache. It started when you woke up.
I’ve I woke up.
6 Sue is in a meeting at work. It’s been going on since 9 o’clock.
The meeting at 9 o’clock.
7 You’re working in a hotel. You started working there six months ago.
I’ve been .
8 Kate is learning Japanese. She’s been doing this for a long time.
Kate started .
12.4 Complete B’s sentences.
a b

1 Do you often go on holiday? No, I haven’t had a holiday for five years.
2 Have you seen Lisa recently? No, I about a month.
3 Do you still go swimming regularly? No, I a long time.
4 Do you still ride a bike these days? No, I ages.

Now write B’s answers again. This time use It’s . . . since . . . .
5 (1) No, it’s five years since I last had a holiday.
6 (2) No, it’s
7 (3) No,
8 (4)  
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